Argumentative Essay Sample

Economic Growth and Environmental Damage

Though nowadays it is more often claimed that humanity can develop without causing damage to nature, there still exists strong opposing arguments to this hypothesis假设. Development assumes economic growth, and economic growth is impossible without industry, which needs energy resources. Currently, the range of goods required by common people has expanded significantly compared to the times before modern industrial technology was employed on a mass scale规模，比例. People feel the need, not only for primary essentials, such as a piece of bread and a roof over their heads, but also for various facilities and luxuries. Providing humanity with these objects involves the exploitation 开发，开采，广告推销of natural resources. In turn, the conventional sources of energy we use today cause pollution, so economic growth is almost inevitably必然的 associated with environmental damage.

One of the aspects of economic growth which affects the environment most of all is that in order to produce more goods and products at a faster rate, the construction of large industrial plants is required. These enterprises generate mass amounts of pollution in the form of liquid waste and gaseous fumes. The liquid waste is frequently dumped 废弃的in fresh water bodies, while the gaseous fumes蒸发 are released into the atmosphere. The liquid waste leads to the pollution of water and the damaging of aquatic 水生的ecosystems (Jion 365). The gaseous fumes pollute the atmosphere, which may cause negative, long-term health effects to nearby populations of animals or people. They also lead to the degradation 降级，退化of the ozone layer, which is one of the main reasons for the acceleration of global warming.

The conventional energy sources that are commonly used nowadays are considered to be the greatest polluters of the environment, and intensive rates of industrial manufacturing lead to constantly increasing energy consumption. One might say that the solution lies in the usage of so-called non-conventional sources of energy, such as tidal, geothermal or wind energy. They are preferred due to their environmentally-friendly means of energy generation, but at the same time, they possess several critical drawbacks. The high installation 安装，装置cost is one of them. Besides, they are yet less effective than conventional ones, and need the accompanying political will to initiate. Transiting from one energy source to another also requires time, during which people have to make some sacrifices to support these undertakings. In a democratic country, making people accept this would pose a challenge (Robert 209).

Simultaneously, even if implemented应用的, non-conventional sources of energy still do not resolve the problem of inflicting damage to the environment. In order to produce economically viable 可行的energy, utilizing tidal and geothermal sources, a sometimes significant distortion of the natural site is often inevitable (Robert 201). This is expensive and has substantial harmful effects on the environment. The application of wind energy would necessitate 迫使blocking airflows’ natural velocity, which is the reason for their decrease in strength after crossing the windmill. Consequently, the pressure balance that is brought about by this current will be affected, and it is important to remember that the environment and weather conditions are directly affected by atmospheric pressure.

As one can see, economic growth is connected to environmental damage, and at the current level of development, humanity can hardly avoid harming nature. This is caused by a number of factors, such as the inaccessibility and costliness of alternative sources of energy. But the most significant reason is that constant economic growth leads to the increase in the rate of industrial production. With the expansion of industry, more conventional resources are needed, and since their usage causes severe pollution, it can be concluded that economic growth is inseparable from the damage inflicted on the environment.

 

第二篇：Structure of an Argumentative Essay

Terry Reilly

STRUCTURE OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

An argumentative essay presents an opinion or an argument and then supports that opinion with evidence. As in arguing a case in court or in Parliament, the aim of the argumentative essay is to persuade.

When putting forward an opinion or a solution, it is essential to provide reasons. If the reasons are weak or can be proved to be false the argument will not be valid. Therefore the supporting evidence needs to be selected correctly and the reasons sound.

The Argumentative Essay

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Opening statement: this is quite general and introduces the subject of the essay (eg: The future of petrol as fuel for private transport is more likely to become obsolete within the next 20 years.)

1.2 Background information: relevant information about the subject in the past and any relevant immediate information about changes in the present should be considered (eg: Petrol has been a reliable fuel for transport and industry for approximately 100 years but within the last ten years it has become abundantly clear that oil will most likely become rare and alternatives which are happening now --- such as electricity or part petrol and part electricity --- will need to be developed to satisfy private and public needs.) This provides a proper basis or foundation to prove your argument.

1.3 Definition: if a definition is required, it can be placed here.

1.4 Thesis: the writer’s opinion or solution needs to be written specifically so that the reader clearly understands his or her position (eg: Part electric and part petrol-driven vehicles are currently the most effective choice for maintaining people’s current standard of living over the next decade.)

1.5 Scope sentence: This sentence outlines the purpose of the essay and the stages it will cover. (eg: This essay will argue that oil and petrol as people know them today will be gradually replaced by a hybrid form of energy and this essay will first detail the importance of part electric and part fuel-driven vehicles with significant reasons followed by a counter-argument that claims more oil exploration in Africa, America and Afghanistan should be undertaken to continue the current standards of petrol-driven transport.

2.0 Body Paragraph (Argument)

2.1 Topic sentence and explanation: that petrol-driven transport will gradually become over-expensive and unreliable.

2.2 Supporting evidence: here, you will introduce the evidence, state it with facts, reasons and statistics and then explain it which will involve interpreting.

2.3 Examples: two or three relevant examples will provide extra support to your argument.

2.4 Analysis: analysis of the evidence and your argument where you contrast and compare information recognising some weaknesses but highlighting important strengths

2.5 Concluding sentence: round off the paragraph with a clear sentence that relates back to the importance of your topic sentence.

3.0 Body Paragraph (Counter-Argument)

3.1 Topic sentence and explanation: (that oil exploration in Africa, America and Afghanistan should lead to continuing the current standards in petrol-driven transport.

3.2 Supporting evidence: as in 2.1, provide facts that offer support such as statistics, reasons and facts

3.3 Examples: offer one or two examples that appear to support the topic sentence

3.4 Analysis: here you can challenge the assertion of the essay through contrasting the information.

3.5 Concluding sentence

4.0 Conclusion

4.1 Summarise or sum up the key facts of the essay

4.2 Re-emphasise the thesis of your essay stating that is this the better solution

4.3 Leave the reader with a clear impression that your thesis is right along with a suggestion that people will need to investigate very closely the value of alternative fuels for convenience and safety.